Dating versus courting

In courtship, you and your partner take the time to get to know and care for each other and develop trust.

You'll think there's more of a connection then there really is.

Last week, I asked you to give me your most burning love questions. More than 100 of you left us a comment with a question about love and romance. Mars asked, “I hear the word ‘courting’ a lot in opposition to ‘dating.’ What are the differences between the two and which relationship is the better of the two? Courtship and dating are words that are thrown around a lot on this blog.

I think Mars is right, that it is important that we know if there’s a difference between the courtship and dating and understand if one is better than the other when placed through the filter of God’s Word. For many, courtship feels like an old-fashioned word that conjures up images of a couple sitting in a living room under the watchful eye of parents until the fella gets down on one knee and proposes. Song of Solomon 8:4 says, “Daughters of Jerusalem, I charge you: Do not arouse or awaken love until it so desires.” In fact, this statement is repeated three times throughout the book Song of Solomon. Pursuing romantic intimacy before marriage is a real possibility opens you up to all kind of struggles. Involving your parents in your romantic relationships is a great way to honor them and to make sure that your plans for your love life line up with theirs.

I have known lots of girls who haven’t committed themselves to courtship and yet, they don’t date just for fun; they only date guys who seem like good husband material, they involve their parents in their decision making and they do everything possible to keep their relationships pure.